Japan’s parliament has elected ultraconservative Sanae Takaichi as the nation’s first female prime minister.
A protege of assassinated former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Takaichi received 237 votes in the 465-seat lower house of parliament on Tuesday, October 21, to confirm her new role.
The victory follows a last-minute coalition deal by her Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) with the right-wing Japan Innovation Party (JIP), also known as Ishin, on Monday.
However, her government is still two seats short of a majority, suggesting a risk of instability.
Takaichi replaces Shigeru Ishiba, ending a three-month political vacuum and wrangling since the LDP – which has governed Japan for most of its post-war history – suffered a disastrous election loss in July.
Takaichi has stonewalled measures for women’s advancement. She supports the imperial family’s male-only succession and opposes same-sex marriage and allowing separate surnames for married couples.
The LDP had earlier lost its longtime partner, the Buddhist-backed Komeito, which has a more dovish and centrist stance.
Komeito ended the partnership due to its concerns that the LDP was not prepared to fight corruption.
“Political stability is essential right now,” Takaichi said at the signing ceremony with the JIP leader and Osaka Governor Hirofumi Yoshimura. “Without stability, we cannot push measures for a strong economy or diplomacy.”
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